Jean Von Dehsen

Jean Fraser Von Dehsen died Thursday, March 15, 2007 at Golden Age Retirement Home in Richlands, VA. She was born September 23, 1924, in the Bronx, NY, and was the daughter of the late Christina Anderson Brunton, of New York, and James Fraser Brunton, who immigrated to the United States from Dundee, Scotland, in 1906. Mrs. Von Dehsen was a former resident of Leisure Village East in Lakewood, NJ, from 1980-2004 and resided in southwest Virginia during the past three years. She was married to and was a devoted wife of Paul Von Dehsen for 57 years until his death in 2001. The couple lived in Harrington Park, NJ, for 17 years. Her greatest source of pride was motherhood, and she instilled in her two daughters a sense of love, humor and compassion for each other and the world around them. During the 1940's, Mrs. Von Dehsen worked for Cannon Mills, Inc. in New York City as a receptionist, then as a homemaker for over 25 years. Her many talents included poetry writing and gourmet cooking. She was also an opthalmologist's receptionist and a salesperson of women's clothing for Evergreen Dress Shop in Brick, NJ. At Leisure Village East, a retirement community, Mrs. Von Dehsen enjoyed her participation in the LVE Ladies Golf Club, Bowling Club, and Line Dancing Group. She loved to dance, and had a grace and beauty that made her shine in a crowd. Surviving daughters are Ellen Elmes and son-in-law Don of Jewell Ridge, VA, and Ann Von Dehsen of Media, PA. Grandchildren are Nicholas Elmes and wife Melissa of South Boston, VA, Kerry Walls, and Rachel Walls, both of Philadelphia, PA. One great granddaughter, Anna Elmes, a special joy in Mrs. Von Dehsen's last years, also survives. A cousin, Catherine Armstrong of Stamford, CT, who was like a sister to Mrs. Von Dehsen, and Dorothy Williams of Topsham, ME, her sister-in-law and also a close relative, and Peter Martin of Marin, CA, survive. During her last months, Mrs.Von Dehsen was supported by loving caregivers from the Golden Age Retirement Home, Richlands Home Health Care, and Preferred Hospice, Inc. The family wishes to invite those who have befriended Mrs. Von Dehsen during the last few years for a gathering of thankfulness for Jean Von Dehsen's life, and for the friends and caregivers who have shown her so much kindness. This celebration will be held at the Golden Age Retirement Home in Claypool Hill at 1:00 pm on Sunday, March 18th. A memorial service will be held in May for Mrs. Von Dehsen in New Jersey, where she will be interred. Hurst-Scott Funeral Home of Richlands, VA is serving the family. Those wishing to express sympathy online may do so at www.hurstscottfuneralhomes.com, and those wishing to make a donation in memory of Jean Von Dehsen may contribute to the Alzheimer's Association, 225 N. Michigan Ave., Floor 17, Chicago, Illinois, 60601.

Jean Von Dehsen

September 23, 1924 - March 15, 2007